Riverside County system update

[Cokeswigga]

from:

:: Sheriff-Coroner :: Riverside County, California


ince 1992, the Riverside Sheriff's Department has operated an 800 MHz analog radio system. In spite of the County's best efforts, the system could not keep up with the demands of the County's population growth and the technical evolution and requirements of the Department. In 2005, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved collaboration between the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Riverside County Fire, Riverside County Information Technology (RCIT), and the Riverside County Economic Development Agency (EDA). The goal of the collaboration was to provide Riverside County with a robust, expansive, and technology driven, County-wide public safety radio system through which Sheriff and Fire would be able to communicate. The collaboration was designated as Public Safety Enterprise Communication (PSEC).

In 2007, after a detailed and thorough Request for Proposal process (RFP), Motorola was awarded the contract to build and deliver the PSEC radio system. Representatives from Sheriff, Fire, RCIT, and Motorola worked together to design and eventually build a 700 MHz digital radio system. As a result, multiple radio sites have been constructed, providing enhanced radio coverage throughout the County as well as dramatically increasing the ability for Sheriff and Fire to effectively communicate.

As of September 2012, the new PSEC system has been constructed and it is anticipated Sheriff and Fire will be able to operate on the new radio system at the beginning of 2013. The new system is comprised of the latest technical advances, placing cutting edge technology in the hands of sheriff's deputies and firefighters. The new PSEC system will bridge previous communication gaps and perform to the nationwide standards set by the Association of Public-Safety Communications (APCO). In essence, Riverside County first responders will have enhanced levels of interoperability with other police and fire agencies throughout the County, including surrounding counties and other areas of Southern California. Past events have proven communication of this level is necessary during large-scale events and emergency situations.

In the past, media organizations have been able to monitor Sheriff's Department events by listening to dispatch radio traffic. This capability will no longer exist utilizing the portable radios currently in use by media outlets. Any organizations interested in obtaining new portable radios are directed to contact Lieutenant Ron Heim, Sheriff's Administration at (951) 955-8816.

Media organizations may continue monitoring Sheriff' s Department investigations and events via the Riverside County Sheriff's website, :: Sheriff-Coroner :: Riverside County, California, to obtain the latest information pertaining to press releases.

For any questions pertaining to the PSEC radio project, please contact the PSEC office at (951) 955-0561. Additional information regarding the PSEC project can also be found at this web link, PSEC Public Safety Enterprise Communication Project :: County of Riverside.

 

[GrandpaFrank]

So what are they saying? They went P25 and media outlets now need "digital" radios?

 

[Cokeswigga]

I am wondering if they are going to an encrypted signal?

 

[brandon]

The 1xx and 2xx talkgroups that I have logged so far have been encrypted.
UniTrunker shows "P4" in Svc column indicating private/encrypted traffic.
Somebody was using talkgroup 205 over the weekend.

Some of the radio testing in the 113x and 114x talkgroups has been in the clear.

 

[zz0468]

So what are they saying? They went P25 and media outlets now need "digital" radios?

That's what they're saying.

RSO had previously provided media outlets with radios so dispatch traffic could be monitored. According to the press release, they are stating that
"Any organizations interested in obtaining new portable radios are directed to contact..." and it gives a name and a number.

It's quite conceivable that, even though most traffic is likely to be encrypted, media will be provided with radios that will be capable of monitoring some encrypted channels. This is one way of silencing critics of encryption who say it closes the door to public scrutiny. It can provide the feeling of security that law enforcement wants from encryption, while providing for the external oversight that the public demands.

The wants and needs of hobbyists don't come into play in these sorts of decisions.

 

[desertscan]

Sheriff upgrades to digital radios Desert sun article

found this today in the Desert sun news paper online.


Sheriff upgrades to digital radios
RIVERSIDE — Scanner hobbyists who enjoy monitoring law enforcement radio traffic will find themselves receiving static when trying to tune in Riverside County Sheriff’s Department broadcasts after Jan. 1.

According to the Riverside County Department of Information Technology, the Public Safety Enterprise Communication System that will be activated in the new year utilizes signal encryption that will prevent the general public from hearing what’s being transmitted or received, much like a satellite channel that cannot be accessed without a passkey.

A county official told City News Service the PSEC equipment has to be custom programmed before any of the sheriff’s channels can be picked up.

Currently, sheriff’s radio traffic can be tuned in using a variety of over-the- counter scanners.

The PSEC system, a $143 million project initiated in 2007, will replace the analog radio communication network in place at the sheriff’s department for decades.

“The PSEC system will bridge previous communication gaps and perform to the nationwide standards set by the Association of Public-Safety Communications,” according to a sheriff’s statement released last week.

“In essence, Riverside County first responders will have enhanced levels of interoperability with other police and fire agencies throughout the county, including surrounding counties and other areas of Southern California.”

Motorola built the PSEC digital network that, unlike the existing system, is not impeded by terrain, buildings and other “blind spots” that can leave deputies without the means to communicate with dispatchers and each other.

According to a report by county Chief Information Officer Kevin Crawford, the new system boasts 95 percent reliability, meaning that for every 100 communication streams, only 5 will be interrupted or delayed.

The PSEC network covers about 86 percent of the 7,300-square-mile county, and users can seamlessly tap four separate voice and data channels, including a 4.9-GHz broadband stream for real-time delivery of information.

Officials say the new system will integrate communications by permitting firefighters and law enforcement personnel to connect with ease, as well as personnel from other agencies, including animal control, the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Public Health.

Media outlets will be afforded the opportunity to lease pre-programmed digital scanners from the sheriff’s department.

 

[scottyhetzel]

found this today in the Desert sun news paper online.


Sheriff upgrades to digital radios
RIVERSIDE — Scanner hobbyists who enjoy monitoring law enforcement radio traffic will find themselves receiving static when trying to tune in Riverside County Sheriff’s Department broadcasts after Jan. 1.

According to the Riverside County Department of Information Technology, the Public Safety Enterprise Communication System that will be activated in the new year utilizes signal encryption that will prevent the general public from hearing what’s being transmitted or received, much like a satellite channel that cannot be accessed without a passkey.

A county official told City News Service the PSEC equipment has to be custom programmed before any of the sheriff’s channels can be picked up.

Currently, sheriff’s radio traffic can be tuned in using a variety of over-the- counter scanners.

The PSEC system, a $143 million project initiated in 2007, will replace the analog radio communication network in place at the sheriff’s department for decades.

“The PSEC system will bridge previous communication gaps and perform to the nationwide standards set by the Association of Public-Safety Communications,” according to a sheriff’s statement released last week.

“In essence, Riverside County first responders will have enhanced levels of interoperability with other police and fire agencies throughout the county, including surrounding counties and other areas of Southern California.”

Motorola built the PSEC digital network that, unlike the existing system, is not impeded by terrain, buildings and other “blind spots” that can leave deputies without the means to communicate with dispatchers and each other.

According to a report by county Chief Information Officer Kevin Crawford, the new system boasts 95 percent reliability, meaning that for every 100 communication streams, only 5 will be interrupted or delayed.

The PSEC network covers about 86 percent of the 7,300-square-mile county, and users can seamlessly tap four separate voice and data channels, including a 4.9-GHz broadband stream for real-time delivery of information.

Officials say the new system will integrate communications by permitting firefighters and law enforcement personnel to connect with ease, as well as personnel from other agencies, including animal control, the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Public Health.

Media outlets will be afforded the opportunity to lease pre-programmed digital scanners from the sheriff’s department.

You mean a pre programmed Motorola apx radio...rx only. Not a scanner...

 

[pepsima1]

Another city moving from Analog to Digital Encryption. Another dagger into the hearts of us hobbyist.

Give it another 5 years and this hobby will be pretty much dead because you won't be-able to listen to anything interesting except Public Works and Cities Services.

I was up in Northern California this week listen to Sacramento County and City trunking system and it was awesome. Being able to listen to Police and Fire makes the hobby much more interesting and also other surrounding cities that have trunking system where police and fire are wide open for the public to listen too. When you buy these expensive trunking scanners you really feel like you get your monies worth when everything is wide open. Look at LAPD P25 Digital and wide open for the public. Crazy encryption is killing us.

Southern California is just so paranoid. Motorola sales people are selling in this very expensive new encryption products and selling it in big and the counties and cities are buying the Kool Aid. Being able to listen to what is going on in the city where you live is the right of us since we are paying taxes and knowing what crime is going is good for us.

 

[zz0468]

Southern California is just so paranoid. Motorola sales people are selling in this very expensive new encryption products and selling it in big and the counties and cities are buying the Kool Aid. Being able to listen to what is going on in the city where you live is the right of us since we are paying taxes and knowing what crime is going is good for us.

Kool Aid... this is a statement that belongs more in the politics forum than here. Just because you don't like the trend toward encryption does not make it "Kool Aid". The feelings of hobbyists have zero influence when it comes to the decision whether or not to encrypt.

It's more driven by the belief that law enforcement is facing more dangerous threats than in years past. Sophisticated and well organized street gangs, drug cartels, and terrorism are the perceived threats facing municipal and county police departments, so law enforcement wants to have access to every possible advantage. Secure communications are one of those. Clearly, some agencies perceive a graver threat than others, but given the choice, and the budget, there are probably very few agencies that wouldn't opt to encrypt if they could.

 

[ScanFanEd]

Does anyone know if Riverside County Fire (CalFire) will be encrypted as well?

 

[brandon]

Does anyone know if Riverside County Fire (CalFire) will be encrypted as well?

They will remain on their existing VHF freqs.

 

[scottyhetzel]

Fire investigators

They will remain on their existing VHF freqs.

The only fire division that would be encrypted would be arson investigators.

 

[mike619]

Another city moving from Analog to Digital Encryption. Another dagger into the hearts of us hobbyist.

Give it another 5 years and this hobby will be pretty much dead because you won't be-able to listen to anything interesting except Public Works and Cities Services.

I was up in Northern California this week listen to Sacramento County and City trunking system and it was awesome. Being able to listen to Police and Fire makes the hobby much more interesting and also other surrounding cities that have trunking system where police and fire are wide open for the public to listen too. When you buy these expensive trunking scanners you really feel like you get your monies worth when everything is wide open. Look at LAPD P25 Digital and wide open for the public. Crazy encryption is killing us.

Southern California is just so paranoid. Motorola sales people are selling in this very expensive new encryption products and selling it in big and the counties and cities are buying the Kool Aid. Being able to listen to what is going on in the city where you live is the right of us since we are paying taxes and knowing what crime is going is good for us.

That is why I do not trust Law enforcement officers because they hide everything from the public when our tax paying money goes in to that and if my money goes in to something I should have the right to listen.

 

[zerg901]

Are the "threats" faced by Riverside police the same as the threats in North Korea and Syria, Libya, etc?

 

[mike619]

Are the "threats" faced by Riverside police the same as the threats in North Korea and Syria, Libya, etc?

Sounds like the agencies are a bit paranoid by doing that.

 

[zz0468]

Are the "threats" faced by Riverside police the same as the threats in North Korea and Syria, Libya, etc?

No, but they can kill people just as dead.

 

[zz0468]

Sounds like the agencies are a bit paranoid by doing that.

Is it paranoid when drug gangs are actually better armed and equipped, and just as well organized as the police? Or is there really a threat there that they need every advantage to counter?

I've said before that there is a perception in law enforcement that the threat level is much higher than in the past. That perception is driven by several things... Mexico's drug war spilling across the border, street gang sweeps where high caliber automatic weapons and radios are seized, and a constant trickle of intelligence coming from the FBI regarding terrorist threats. There are real tangible reasons many departments are looking toward encryption.

There are at least three reasons NOT to encrypt:

1. Cost

2. Political transparency

3. Hobbyists don't like it.

The cost is what it is. If a department really feels they need it, they find the money. There are lots of federal grants available. THe transparency issue can be dealt with by issuing radios to the media for select talk groups.

And in the grand scheme of things, the hobbyists don't matter.

 

[WayneH]

This thread is (was?) for system updates, not to debate or rant about encryption. Please do that in another thread.

 

[f40ph]

Folks, stop for a moment and take a deep breath. It may come to pass that Riverside County only encrypts certain "hi-risk" talkgroups as other agencies have done. (SWAT, Narcotics, etc).

We already cannot read RSO MDC traffic and somehow we're still here.

How about before pulling the proverbial "hobbyist doomsday plug", let's see what really happens. I recall 20 years ago that everyone said we weren't going to be able to monitor trunked systems at all.